Other popular searches

Social Channels

Sites & Languages

Tom's Pal

Tom Huddlestone feels Wilson Palacios has brought that something extra to the team since his arrival a year ago.

Tom Huddlestone feels Wilson Palacios has brought that something extra to the team since his arrival a year ago.

The Honduran international was snapped up from Wigan last January and was an instant hit with fans as he threw himself into challenge after challenge on his home debut against rivals Arsenal.

A year on and he's credited by Harry Redknapp as one of the reasons behind the team's turn around in fortunes last year as we went from a relegation battle up to a final position of eighth in 2008-09 and now sit fourth in the Barclays Premier League.

Tom has partnered Wilson in central midfield on 18 occasions this season and knows his game better than most. "Tottenham has been renowned for not having a ball-winning midfielder like that and playing too much pretty football," he said honestly.

"Wilson is the one who gets about teams, puts the tackles in and it almost makes everyone else do it.

"If you see someone go in with a crunching tackle it seems to spur the rest of the team on.

"This season the most noticeable difference has been the tempo we've played both with and without the ball.

"We're working as hard as ever to win the ball back and if we manage to do that, especially in the opponents' half, we've the players going forward that not many teams are able to live with."

Tom and Wilson have made most starts so far - 23 each in all competitions - and Tom believes he's reaping the benefits.

"It gives you more confidence just playing regular football," he added. "You form an understanding, rather than for instance playing one in every three or four games.

"If you play week in, week out you get to know the players better. We've had a fairly settled team this season, we've gelled and we're reaping the benefits sitting in fourth at the moment."